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Hard-Drive
Original Poster
1,800 posts
98 months
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I'm a bit of an occasional lurker in here but not a poster, and not an expert!
OK, I like nice watches, have a few in my collection (Seiko Spotura, couple of digital outdoor type watches, Omega Dynamic Automatic, Longines Conquest Munich 1972 Olympic Chrono), but I've never considered myself a watch aficionado and I couldn't justify the eye watering amount of money some people spend on watches...partly as I would rather spend it elsewhere, and I often end up scratching them or similar.
However my faithful Seiko Sportura has decided to shed its teeny chrono second hand (it's rattling around the face now) and with a number of scratches it might be time for something new. So I'm looking for some ideas.
As a non aficionado excuse the following terminology or "you can't say that" remarks! I prefer slightly understated (Breitlings are just too bling...not that I would spend that much!) and I also prefer stainless steel straps, although a chunky leather or rubber one would be OK. I wouldn't want a "fashion" brand, I'd rather have another Seiko or similar or splash out on a "proper" name. It needs to look OK with a suit or a jeans, and as my passion is sailing, some connection with that would be good too.
I've looked at the Seiko Velatura, and although I don't like the new model, I can still get the old one for about £300, nice watch, quite like it.
The other thing I am considering is a black faced Seamaster. I tried one on the other day, but at £1500 it was a lot of money (in my eyes) for a watch, and I'd always think "ah yes, and it's not even an automatic". I could almost see why the autos are more money, no doubt having been lovingly assembled by some wise old Swiss man who lives in a big cuckoo clock, but £1500 for a battery powered watch does seem excessive compared to the Seiko...I don't really get what "extra" I'm getting for my money.
That said I'm about to fly out somewhere, so duty free is an option, or will I get cheaper there or by trawling the net?
Secondly, what about 2nd hand Seamaster? If its in good condition I have no issue with this, who would be a reputable dealer and what are the savings like? Oh, and it needs to have a black face, not blue...
Or am I missing trick totally and there's a nautical themed watch that sits between the two in terms of price.
Help!
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Disastrous
3,597 posts
86 months
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Tissot do a T touch with regatta timing features iirc. I quite like them though you'd need to pick carefully for hem to work with a suit...
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Ikemi
6,041 posts
74 months
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stuttgartmetal
6,380 posts
85 months
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DS3R
693 posts
35 months
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Ikemi said: Exactly where I'd head, watches.co.uk might be up for a small deal on the second one listed, a model I have previously owned and can thoroughly recommend. Solid, tough, rare, will draw admiring glances, and infinitely more interesting than a Seamaster [imo].
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J H 500
111 posts
78 months
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Have a look at OFFSHORE watches, i bought one and liked them so much I became a dealer!!!
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BalhamBadger
958 posts
42 months
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Omega made a very nice Regatta Speedmaster.
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Ikemi
6,041 posts
74 months
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stuttgartmetal said: gmt master .
next. Aren't they closer to £4K s/h? Sounds as though that would be more than the OP is willing to spend!
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Hard-Drive
Original Poster
1,800 posts
98 months
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Quite right. £1500 maximum really, ideally under the grand....
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marcosgt
6,200 posts
45 months
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What does a "Sailing related watch" have to have?
I understand Diver's watches and I'm guessing a decent amount of Water Resistance (but not SO much) is important in case it ends up in the water, but does it not stopwatches, etc?
ETA, some of those Nauticas look rather nice for sub £150, if they fit the bill.
M.
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andy tims
3,602 posts
115 months
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Heuer Skipper - quite rare, but very nice.
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Riff Raff
2,225 posts
64 months
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Ikemi said: stuttgartmetal said: gmt master .
next. Aren't they closer to £4K s/h? Sounds as though that would be more than the OP is willing to spend! I'm also not sure why a GMT would be a sailing watch. Unless you have real problems with GMT/BST conversions for tide tables. But if that is the case, you probably shouldn't be sailing a boat in the first place. If you race, something with a 10 minute countdown might be handy. Whatever it is should be tough as old boots, because it will get clanged off things, and with as big a waterproof rating as you can find in a package that is wearable.
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kazste
1,741 posts
67 months
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Hard-Drive
Original Poster
1,800 posts
98 months
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Grrrr, PH just lost my long response.
In a nutshell, if I cold find a decent 2nd hand auto Seamaster for £1500 then great, but I want a black face and they are all blue.
I really like the Velatura yachting timer, but I can only find the SPC007 with the rubber strap in the UK. I'd like the SPC005 with the stainless strap. Any ideas where I can get one, or is buying overseas OK or will I get caned on import tax or something?
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Ikemi
6,041 posts
74 months
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Hard-Drive
Original Poster
1,800 posts
98 months
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Ikemi, thanks for that. That first Seamaster is very tempting, however it really would need to be he full size for me. Good site though, will keep my eye on that!
I'd found Creation watches through a bit of digging and other threads on here but if you look at the linky they've sold out of the SPC005. There's a guy in the states on eBay selling the SPC005 straps, so I could order an SPC007 in the UK and get the strap sent over I guess to give me a black faced watch with the s/s strap, probably the nicest combination IMHO...
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Hard-Drive
Original Poster
1,800 posts
98 months
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Update...just ordered the Velatura SPC007. Seiko say that the SPC005 is now discontinued in the UK, however in 2 months the s/s and rubber strap will be available for the SPC007 as a spare part (but strangely never as the complete watch?) and there's an all s/s strap available now. Last one from the Watch Hut at £262, Seiko RRP £525 so quite happy with that. However at that price if the right Seamaster turned up, I'd still be tempted! 
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XJSJohn
13,354 posts
88 months
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For a proper sailing / yacht racing watch with all the proper race timers and other useful stuff to have on the wrist, the best sailing watch out there by far is one of the Suunto Regatta watches.
It's not realy a daily wearer however.
Alternatively you just need the watch you like the most that has a tough glass, strong strap, waterproof and a good clear easy to stop watch. My Omega Speedy still gets used regularly on the water.
Eta - I think they even use a version that can connect with tacktic instruments if you use them!
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Shuvi
857 posts
75 months
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As XSJohn mentioned in the post above a 'Sailing watch' has specific functions.
An Omega Seamaster is not a sailing watch.
A £30 Casio can be.
I've a 1997 £50 Casio that I can't better for £5000.
You don't want a sailing watch do you?
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Hard-Drive
Original Poster
1,800 posts
98 months
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Quite correct. That's why I called the thread "sailing related watch" and said this...
"It needs to look OK with a suit or a jeans, and as my passion is sailing, some connection with that would be good too."
For racing I use a dedicated digital timer which I dont care much if it gets scratched or lost. I'm looks for more of an everyday watch that reflects my interests, so something rugged, accurate, sea-connected is what I'm after, that whilst perhaps not being used for skiff racing start lines, is quite at home yotting around the Solent.
After all that, watch hut phoned me to say the Velatura they were about to send is broken! So I'm back to square one...I could order elsewhere, mind you I have found a couple of Seamasters within budget...hmmm...
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